School board hopefuls Jacquelin Twiss, Randall Holland, DuWayne Anderson, Dexter Sullivan and Dan Cromer were among the candidates in attendance at the June 14 GOP political forum. Photo by Kristi Reed

A full slate of candidates sought to win over local voters during Monday night’s Republican candidate forum.

The forum, held in the Colleen Williams Theater in Winder, was the second of four scheduled by the Barrow County Republican Party in advance of the July 20 primary. The June 14 forum included state senate district 47 candidates, county commission candidates for district 4 and district 6, school board candidates for districts 1, 4 and 7, attorney general candidate Sam Olens and public service commission candidate Jeff May.

STATE RACES
Olens and May were the only two statewide candidates scheduled to appear at Monday’s forum.

Olens, a former chairman of the Cobb County Commission and the Atlanta Regional Committee, is running against Max Wood and Preston Smith for the Republican nomination for attorney general.

“We now have an attorney general that cares more about what the President thinks than what Georgians think,” Olens said. “You need an attorney general that is fighting for you.”

Olens said he will battle the federal takeover of health care and will support Georgia’s effort to implement more stringent voter identification requirements. Olens also vowed to take up the fight against the federal government over state water rights.

“Water supply is our number one legal problem in this state,” he said.

Olens also expressed his support for immigration enforcement – especially the 287 (g) program which was implemented in Cobb County during his tenure as chairman.
“Someone needs to take the immigration issue seriously,” he said. “If you can’t come in here legally, you have no right to be here legally. Follow the law.”

The winner of the Republican primary will face the victor in the Democratic primary battle between Rob Teilhet and Ken Hodges.

The other statewide candidate, public service commission hopeful Jeff May, is one of four Republicans seeking his party’s nomination.

May, a small business owner and state representative, said he will work to keep fuel costs as low as possible through long term energy planning.

May supports increasing the use of nuclear energy and expanding natural gas exploration as a way to diversify energy resources and encourage energy independence.

“More government is not the solution,” May said while touting a platform that includes greater investment in energy infrastructure.

May faces John Douglas, Joey Brush and Tim Echols in the primary. The Republican winner will challenge Democrat Keith Moffett in the general election.

BOARD OF EDUCATION
Though five board of education seats are up for grabs, only three of the races are being contested in the July 20 primary.

Though school board district 3 incumbent Connie Wehunt and school board district 9 incumbent Mark Still have no challengers in the Republican primary, Still will face Democrat Rushia Cooper during the November general election.

The other three school board seats will be decided in the primary unless a challenger emerges during the upcoming qualifying period for Independents which begins June 28.

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1
In school board district 1, incumbent Randall Holland hopes the voters of Barrow County will allow him to serve another term as a board member.

Holland said his 23 and a half years of experience on the board will benefit Barrow schools.

Holland presented a long list of school board accomplishments during his tenure as a board member and chairman. Among the achievements cited were the construction of several new schools, the addition of school nurses and school resource officers as well as improved test scores.

While pleased with what has been done so far, Holland said the school system is facing numerous challenges in terms of growth and other issues.

“As our school system progresses, I feel my experience will mean a difference in our schools and in the success of our children,” he said.

While Holland sees progress in Barrow County Schools, challenger Blake Foster worries that the school system is getting further and further behind in terms of academic achievement.

“We’re just not pushing out children enough,” he said. “We’re not getting them through the basics.”

Foster said seeing the work his children do in school has convinced him that not enough emphasis has been placed on education fundamentals.

Foster hopes he can do something about that.

“I see this as an opportunity for me to give back to that community which has been so blessful to me and helped me become the person I am today,” he said.

The other candidate for school board district 1, Jacquelin Twiss, said the school system needs to work harder to match the interests and capabilities of all students – not just those who are college bound.

“In our schools, we need to take learning out of textbooks and start using real world experience,” she said.

Twiss said it is important to support Barrow students in whatever career or educational path they choose to pursue and that money should not be a factor when it comes to educating students.

Though acknowledging that financial resources are limited, Twiss said there were viable options for saving money such as a four day school week that would preserve educational quality while cutting costs.

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4
With incumbent Larry Ballard’s exit from the district 4 school board race, Will Dunn and former school board member Beverly Kelley were left to vie for Ballard’s seat.

Dunn said it is time to consider alternative solutions to the school system’s problems.

“I can think outside the box,” he said. “There comes a point in time where you have to have somebody that can look at an issue and rather than using the same answers and the same solutions, can think of alternate ways.”

If elected, Dunn said he will seek additional grant funding as one way of shoring up the school system’s finances without increasing property taxes.

Dunn also said he believes Barrow should become a charter school system and that he supports teaching Bible and theology classes in schools.

Former board of education member Beverly Kelly said she has talked to teachers across the state during her time working on John Oxendine’s campaign.

Kelly said she is running for office because she is concerned about test scores, graduation rates and drop-out rates for Barrow County students.

“We have no time to waste on someone coming in and trying to learn the job,” she said.

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 7 (AT-LARGE)
In the other contested school board race, incumbent Dan Cromer is being challenged by Dexter Sullivan and Duwayne Anderson for the school board district 7 seat.

Cromer said his 42 years of experience in education make him the best choice for the school board.

“I understand the pressures, budgetary and otherwise, that affect school systems,” he said.

Charging that the school system has “taken a hit” from Atlanta and the reduced property tax digest, Cromer said he supports converting to a charter system as a way to increase local control and local responsibility over how taxpayer dollars are spent.

Challenger Duwayne Anderson said he is also tired of interference from the state capital.

“I am absolutely tired of the slash and burn politics that have come down on the top of the head of education,” he said.

Anderson said he is running for the school board because he has a passion for education. He said the four components of education are the students, teachers, music and arts and free will. Anderson vowed to protect all four.

“The future of Georgia is our kids,” he said.

School board candidate Dexter Sullivan said he wants the children of Barrow County to be able to compete locally, statewide and internationally.

“I want each child to reach their highest level of achievement,” he said.

Sullivan said he hopes to accomplish that by bringing a fresh perspective to the community and to the school board.

Sullivan believes the school system will enjoy greater success by creating more corporate partnerships and engaging parents in the education process.

COUNTY COMMISSION
In the last election, all three incumbent commissioners were defeated as the voters rallied behind cries of “Clean the slate.”

Though the election season looks less contentious this year, two of the three incumbents are facing challengers. As the major party qualifying period ended, only district 5 commissioner Billy Parks remained unopposed.

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4
In district 4, incumbent Isaiah Berry will face off against Frank Clark in the primary.

“We’re facing many issues which have difficult solutions,” Berry said.

Chief among those issues according to Berry are the county’s roadways.

Describing roads as the “lifeblood of the community,” Berry said it is critical that the roads be repaired and repaved as needed. Berry specifically identified the intersection of Hwy. 211 and Barrow Park Drive as a major concern saying that intersection would soon be addressed.

Berry also expressed his continued support for public safety.

“We must do everything in our power to give them everything they need,” he said.

Berry’s opponent, Frank Clark, said he was running for office because he was tired of wasteful spending and that he favored an “open, common sense” government.

Clark criticized county leaders by calling present spending levels “ridiculous” given the current economic situation.

Clark vowed to be responsive to his constituents concerns if elected.

“I want to be your listening post because I am a taxpayer too,” he said.

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 6
Another race generating a good deal of voter attention is the race for district 6 county commissioner. Incumbent Ben Hendrix is seeking reelection against challenger and former sheriff Joe Robinson.

Hendrix, now in his sixth year on the commission, reminded voters that he has never voted for a tax increase, listens to his constituents and gets results.

Hendrix said it is important that elected officials are good stewards of the people’s money. To that end, Hendrix said one of his goals as a commissioner would be to encourage increased commercial investment in Barrow County to balance the residential growth in recent years. Hendrix said greater commercial investment will increase the tax base and, therefore, revenues for the county.

“I want Barrow County to be a better place for my kids and grandkids,” he said.

Former Sheriff Joe Robinson is also seeking to represent the citizens of the sixth district.

Robinson said he believes it is important that commissioners work together and that citizens should receive help from county employees in a “positive and efficient” manner.

Robinson also said he believes officials and department heads should be more involved in the budget process and “some” decision making.

Calling for a stop to unnecessary spending, Robinson said the county needed to work harder to attract businesses.

“I believe we need to stop some of the red tape so we can attract more industry and small business and give local contractors more opportunities to bid on local projects,” he said.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 47
Even with Pat Graham’s exit from the state senate district 47 race, voters are still left with several candidates vying to fill the seat being vacated by Ralph Hudgens.

Doug Bower, Shane Coley, Kelley Gary and Frank Ginn sought to distinguish themselves from their opponents during Monday’s night forum. The stakes were high as only one will move forward to challenge Democrat Tim Riley in the general election.

Each candidate had four minutes to explain why he is the best candidate in the race.

Doug Bower said he is running for office because he looked at the situation both statewide and nationally and saw people who were disheartened, disillusioned and feeling overwhelmed by the current circumstances.

“We’ve got an oil spill that has us baffled beyond comprehension,” he said. “We’re standing by helplessly watching this unfold.”

Bower said he believes people have the integrity and capacity to make decisions about their government and their lives.

“That’s the foundation on which I’m running,” he said.

Shane Coley said he was running because he has a “passion for liberty.”

Reciting his campaign mantra of “Government is the problem, productivity is the solution,” Coley accused the government of stealing the life, liberty and property of its citizens.

“We no longer abide by the Constitution,” he said. “Instead we employ the ten planks of the communist manifesto.”

Coley said he supports eliminating property taxes – a tax he said reduces property owners to mere tenants of the government.

“We must change the way we think,” he said. “We must learn the truth about money and production.”

Kelley Gary also criticized government intrusions into private lives and business.

“I know how hard it is to make money in this economy and how easy it is for government to get in the way.”

Gary expressed his support for free markets and local government control. Gary also said it is important that government incentivize businesses to locate in Georgia and suggested comprehensive tax reform was one way in which to accomplish that.

If elected, Gary said he will focus on tax reform and making taxes as low as possible by implementing common sense spending priorities.

The last candidate of the night, Frank Ginn, began his speech by praising area voters and criticizing illegal immigrants.

“We live in the best district in the best state in the best country in the world,” he said. “Although we have a lot of illegal aliens who want to come in and tread on our coattails and steal our jobs and some of us don’t come to celebrate July 4, it’s great to be here tonight.”

Ginn said addressing the problems facing the district and the state do not require reinventing the wheel, just assessing the problem and finding the best solution.

Ginn said state government needs to address statewide issues and leave local government to local officials. However, Ginn said he wants to help local officials solve the tough problems they face by serving as a “waterboy” for local politicians.

UP NEXT
The next forum is scheduled for Thursday, June 24 at Statham Elementary School. Candidates scheduled to speak at the Statham forum include State Senate District 47 candidates, school board candidates from district 1 and 7 along with attorney general candidate Preston Smith, state school superintendent hopeful John Barge and public service commissioner candidate Tim Echols.

The fourth and final forum is set for Monday, July 12 at Bramlett Elementary School. State Senate District 47 candidates, county commission district 4 and 6 candidates, school board district 4 and 7 candidates are scheduled to attend. Gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal and attorney general candidate Max Wood will also participate.

All forums are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.barrowgop.com or join the Barrow County Republican Party on Facebook.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Republican Party Chairman Ken Young and his staff for giving all of the candidates, the opportunity to share their campaign platforms.
Many people don't realize the amount of time, energy, and hard work, that goes into putting together this type of important forum. Ken, we appreciate all that you do for the Republican Party.

Sincerely,

DuWayne R. Anderson
Republican Candidate
for The District 7(at large)
Board of Education Seat
in Barrow County

Money shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to our children's education, however financial resources have ALWAYS been limited. We have to learn to be SMARTER with our resources. We need to start thinking outside the box. We need to look at alternative ways of cutting the budget.

By third grade, a child is either on the path to success or failure. If a child is NOT reading at or above a third grade level BY third grade, they will slowly slip further and further behind.

These are the children that need the early intervention. We can't afford to lose teachers, schools, or ELCs.

We need to find other ways to cut the budget; we need to get local businesses involved with education; we need to think outside the box.

The charter school system is a start but we also need to start thinking and teaching outside the text books to engage our children in their studies.

While all student should strive for a higher level of education, there are those who don't have the interest or capability to attend college. While we need to give these children the bases for college, we also need to insure they have the skills needed to follow a career of their choice and not just happenstance.

Education has always been a number one priority of mine. I believe that the best inheritance you can give your child is an education. With an education, they can make their own way.

With all due respect to your position, continuing to cut an already stretched Education budget,devastated by the state budget deficit makes no sense. We can not continue to press our classroom Educators to do more with less, simply because our tax base has dried up. Taxes alone can no longer sustain the entire Education budget.
My campaign has taken a leadership role both in Barrow County, and the State of Georgia to begin discussions on Independent Investment Options outside of the Tax base. This is an idea whose time has come. I will not raise the white flag of surrender in the face of reduced budgets. My "EDUCATION FIRST" campaign will continue to investigate alternative investment options that do not raise your taxes or mine, and give our kids hopes and dreams a chance...

With all due respect -- her ideas where BETTER than yours. I don't understand your trashing someone who is not running against you. She's district 1 -- MY DISTRICT, you are running in district 7 (At Large).

Sit down and talk to her, her ideas make sense, AND she can back them up with facts.

For Example: as a teacher, I REALLY like her idea of a four day school week. It's cutting the budget by cutting transportation cost WITHOUT sacrificing class time.

Your idea that the Europeans are going to just toss dollars at us is the dumbest thing I've hear in a long time -- Billions -- not Millions.

My vote in district 7 is going to be Sullivan.
My vote in district 1 is going to be Twiss.

Joe,
First of all, having a different view from Ms. Twiss is not trashing her. I have spoken with Ms. Twiss in the past, and she understands my passion for our kids, although we may have differences, there is no hostility between us. Ask her yourself, and if she gives you a different answer, then I will be happy to speak with her again to clear up any issues.
Sorry, you are not happy with my "Education First" platform. I will not respond in a negative manner to your opinion. I respect Dexter Sullivan and he is a welcome addition to our Dist.7 race.
Sincerely,
DuWayne

Im glad you listed to my speech on Monday ;). That is what I have been telling people and the reason why I am running for district 4. There are other financial resources available, I think outsid the box and we can improve our education.
If elected, I would like to introduce several proven methods on raising our childrens education level. Like I said Monday, we cannot continue to use the standard means of solving issues, we need someone that will do what it takes, even if it makes a few people cry, to get the school system back on track.

Will, I appreciate your comments and the approach of your campaign in Dist 4. As you know, from the beginning of my "Education First" campaign, I have stressed the importance of exploring new and exciting opportunities for outside independent investment for Education that does not rely on increasing our TAXES. The citizens of Barrow County are not in favor of any candidate who advocates NEW TAXES! My campaign DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY NEW TAXES!
Going a step further, it must be pointed out that we can not compete either statewide or nationally, or internationally with other students, unless we have the FINANCIAL RESOURCES to develop, purchase, and implement the necessary curriculum materials(including Technology related systems and E-Virtual Education applications). Being able to compete with students from other countries requires CONTINUED FUNDING DOLLARS. WE can not achieve adequate funding through the tax base alone. Taxes simply can not support Education Funding by itself anymore. Shuffling the county Education Budget with "smoke and mirrors" tactics also will not work. If you are short dollars, no matter how you shuffle those dollars, you are still short the same dollars. New dollars must be found, because the State will not be sending Barrow County any new money for Education anytime soon, and my campaign is not simply going to stand by and watch it happen, without a fight! Our kids are too important to let that happen.

Will, it is clear to my campaign, that Barrow County Schools, and The State of Georgia must begin the process to discuss outside independent investment opportunities,to fund Education. We have an obligation to all of the future generations of students that will come behind us, to provide a growing and vibrant well funded Education system. Only then, can we achieve the goal of being the leader in true Education excellence, that will allow our students to be the best in the world again!

" E D U C A T I O N F I R S T "

Thank you for being in the Dist. 4 Race, and standing for Education Excellence! In Dist. 7(at large), my campaign will continue to take a leadership role in fighting for our kids, our Teachers, our Music and Arts programs, and Independent Financial Investment into the Barrow County School System, no matter the outcome of the Election in July. I ask for your prayers as my campaign continues the fight to protect our kids!!

Sincerely,
DuWayne Anderson
Republican Candidate
For The Dist.7(at large)
Board of Education Seat
in Barrow County

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